I am looking seriously the 2012 road kings, both regular and classic. I did notice one nice looking 2009 road king for sale though. I am wondering if the bikes are much different, besides the size of the engine 103 vs 97 cu in I assume. But what the quality of the ABS on each of these bikes. I read that ABS was an option in 2009, but not sure if that was the first year for that and whether any bugs had to be worked out. Brembo brakes both years? Also, wondering if the stability and maneuverability of the road king is essentially the same from 2009 to 2012. Any comments much appreciated.

 

the big differences in the models years are the 96" vs the 103" ( which is a bored version of the 96")- the 103" also comes with oil cooler with is nice (and probably added by most 96" owners)

the are some electrical control differences, which are nifty, but do not really affect the rider experience.

abs is same but may have software version difference 09/12, brembos both years, and frame is same 09/12.

the 09 fork does not turn quite as far as the 12, but I never hit the stops while riding my 09- only when paddling around the garage.

model year changes/ refinements can be tracked if you google:

2009 model year technical forum ( and then 2010, 2011, 2012 etc), you get the .pdf that is given to dealers, and it runs through most of the changes from year to year.

fun reading.

My 09 FLHTC is awesome the brembos/abs are great, the frame is stable and true, the suspension works well

the 103 has a little more torque- but not enough difference to win my dollar ( at the time a 2K difference), the 96" does all I need.

you'd probably save 1/3 on the 09.

Mike

 

The 09 didn't have catalytic converters in the head pipe unless it was a California model or a CVO. All 2012's do have the cats. 09's had bigger o2 sensors mounted up close to the heads. The 12's have smaller o2 sensors that are heated and mounted down by the transmission. ABS and frame should be the same. A few internal changes the biggest is the 96 vs 103 engine. Depends on price and which color you like. The 09 should be much cheaper.